If C1 is a "cheap alternative" to U87, then what's the "cheap alternative" to C414..?

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berdy

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If C1 is a "cheap alternative" to U87, then what's the "cheap alternative" to C414..?

Please, don't crucify me. I know that these mics were discussed hundreds of times on this forum. However, I still can't find answer to such a question.

Two years ago, thanks to this forum, I decided to buy a C1 - simply beacuse my band's vocalist was using U87 in the studio, and I couldn't afford the real Neumann. I don't regret this purchase, though I find C1 rather bright sounding. Sometimes too bright.

Now I'm thinking about getting another mic, this time something what sounds a bit smoother (but not dark) - mostly for recording female voices. Again, I can't afford a real C414 at this moment.

Please, show some patience. I don't expect strict scientific approach. ;-) I simply would like to know your opinion - especially from those, who use a lot of mics.

OR MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE A NEW POLL...? ;-)
 
Well I would describe a 414 as bright and accurate. CAD M179 comes to mind. I haven't used it, but a fair amount of folks like it. For vocals you don't need multipattern mics, as a rule, and I think AKG Perception 200 would sound a bit like a 414. Note that 414's (any of them) are only good for some vocals some of the time. I've got one Pop diva that I work with that rocks on a 414. It makes many other vocalists I know of sound like hell. It is, however, a great overhead, good on guitars, piano, strings, percussion, a host of stuff. For a darker, smoother mic, especially on ladies, I've had very good luck with Oktava MK319 for cheap.-Richie
 
I have not owned any of the top shelf expensive mics, but I do have a pair of C414's.

The 414 is good, but if you are on a budget, the most honest AND affordable mic I have found for my own voice is a ribbon. imo, the budget ribbons beat the heck out of the budget condensors any day. I have owned several budget condensors, and I sold them all after I bought an Apex 210 ribbon. The 210 was on sale a few days ago at fullcompass.com for $115, and comes with both a padded cordura bag that fits inside the aluminum "flight" style padded case. I was quite surprised to find that my recorded voice sounded most like my voice on the tracks made with the ribbon. I like the sound so much that I bought a Fathead II ribbon to use on my guitar cab, and that is working out really well aslo.

Definitely should not be overlooked....

In the $300 dollar range, the ADK Hamburg gets a ton of recommends.
 
AT 4047, I own both and they're very similar. The 414 is way smoother in the mids but on many sources I wouldn't know the difference.
 
Probably something like an Audio Technica 4040.

I tend to think of the 414 as a "more expensive alternative" to the 4050.

.
 
i find the Oktava Mk319 also to be somewhat darker. nice mic for the $, can be grabbed for around $75 or so.

otherwise i hear the 4050 and 4033 are darker sounding mics.

never used a 414 though.
 
i can assure you that the 4033 is anything but dark!

the same can probably be said about the 4050, although i've never used one
 
chessrock said:
Probably something like an Audio Technica 4040.

I tend to think of the 414 as a "more expensive alternative" to the 4050.

.
Click to expand...

Give the man a cigar for nailing it. :)
 
So, I have the C3 and a 414 B-ULS (and a bunch of other mics.) What I wish was that I had started investing in TOP SHELF mics earlier. Things like Senn421, Shure SM7, EV RE20... These (along with SM57's) are the building blocks to a great mic collection (in my opinion.) I got a lot of suggestions about looking at these mics as I was buying up all kinds of cheap chinese mics.

I would say that the 414 is my replacement for the C1/C3. It still has a very clear high end, and while it is not dark, it's highs are not as screechy as on the C3. (I love the C3 and use it A LOT, but the 414 does not require that I pull down 2800-3000 on the EQ after tracking vocals.)

My suggestion would be not to buy another knock off but instead think about getting one of the real things. To stay on the affordable side perhaps you could hunt for a 414 for $500 then sell your C1. That gives you a step up in quality and you should be able to do male and female vocals there.

My other suggestion would be to pick up an SM7. A high quality dynamic vocal mic would be a great second vocal mic to add to your C1 (if you want to keep the C1)

The nice thing about SM7, RE20 and 414's is that they will all hold their value pretty well so you can grab them here secondhand, or off the bay, try them out and then resell if not to your taste.

Only warning will be that the SM7 needs a lot of gain. If you have noise preamps you could wind up not happy. I use an RNP and have more than enough clean gain for loud or soft vocals.


berdy said:
Please, don't crucify me. I know that these mics were discussed hundreds of times on this forum. However, I still can't find answer to such a question.

Two years ago, thanks to this forum, I decided to buy a C1 - simply beacuse my band's vocalist was using U87 in the studio, and I couldn't afford the real Neumann. I don't regret this purchase, though I find C1 rather bright sounding. Sometimes too bright.

Now I'm thinking about getting another mic, this time something what sounds a bit smoother (but not dark) - mostly for recording female voices. Again, I can't afford a real C414 at this moment.

Please, show some patience. I don't expect strict scientific approach. ;-) I simply would like to know your opinion - especially from those, who use a lot of mics.

OR MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE A NEW POLL...? ;-)
Click to expand...
 
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